Sunnybank sit just three points behind fourth placed University while Souths are a further six points adrift of the Dragons in sixth.

Sunnybank coach Rod Seib will be looking for stronger defence from his side this week after giving up 29 points against Norths in their most recent outing.
Dragons flyer Taniela Tuivanuavou bagged a hat-trick in the bonus-point win over the Eagles, and plays an integral role in a strong backline which also includes Ryan Tongia, Danny Routledge and Tom Lucas.
The Dragons have endured somewhat of a slow start in 2013 after their Grand Final loss last year,  however they have had little problem scoring points, boasting the second best attacking record with 275.

Click here for the full QLD Premier Round 8 Previews

SUNNYBANK PREMIER TEAM 25TH MAY
1.  FOTUAIKA, Feao
2.  MELLOR, Sam
3.  FATIALOFA, Jeremiah
4.  MURDAY, Tom
5.  WALLACE-HARRISON, Adam
6.  AH WONG, Nigel
7.  MCCAFFERY, Miles
8.  MELTON, Greg
9.  EDMOND, Josh
10. LUCAS, Tom
11. POUHILA, Michael
12. HOROMIA, Alfonso
13. ROUTLEDGE, Danny
14. TUIVANUAVOU, Taniela
15. TONGIA, Ryan

The Dragons monopolised ball possession early on and sloppy defence by the Eagles saw the score line widen throughout the second half.

St.George Queensland Reds player Adam Wallace-Harrison lead the home side by example, putting his body on the line both offensively and defensively.

Eagles head coach Michael Bishop was disappointed with his side’s performance, especially in the first half.

“We just let Sunnybank get away, the first half cost us a lot. We’re still playing patches of good footy but just way too many lapses and were giving away to many opportunities,” Bishop said.

Taniela Tuivanuavou was a tumultuous force on the day, scoring a hat trick as his pace proved to be too much for the visiting team.

Field position was critical for the home side and a relentless offensive tirade early on gained the home side a swift lead.

“Through weight of possession and a high ruck count, we were able to turn plays into points,” Sunnybank Head Coach Rod Seib said.

The Eagles displayed glimpses of potential, with elusive winger Vareas Mataitini scoring an impressive run away try, though it was a case of too little too late for the visiting side.

Bishop identified that his team’s sense of urgency and their defence caused issues early on, and lineout percentage was another big factor on the day.

“Our lineout was really disrupted, I don’t think we won a lineout at all in the first half and if you can’t win a lineout it’s pretty hard to win,” Bishop said.

The Dragons are set to face Souths next week at Chipsy Wood Oval.

Seib was happy with the win, but knows there’s still much to be done before next week’s game.

“It’s good to have another five points on the table, but in saying that there’s a lot we have to work on before next week’s game against Souths,” he said.

“Our defence was way too poor and leaked too many missed tackles.”

Sunnybank 54 (T Tuivanuavou 3 tries F Fotuaka J Fatialofa T Lucas D Routledge R Tongia tries T Lucas 7 cons) d Norths 29 (V Mataitini 2 tries T Maafu B Cottle S Filipe L Tabu con T Brooks con)

Thomas McLaughlin
www.qru.com.au

The Dragons were lead around the park by young flyhalf and Musashi High Performer of the round, Tom Lucas, who also nailed four from five conversions.

Lucas is back at flyhalf this week and will no doubt play a key role in the game, but the most interesting inclusion for Sunnybank this week is former NRL Under 20s and Papua New Guinea Rugby League representative Ryan Tongia, who has been named at fullback.

Sunnybank Head Coach Rod Seib believes Tongia will be a great inclusion for the team and will provide a lot in both attack and defence.

Click here for the full QLD Premier Round 7 Previews

PREMIER TEAM 18/5/13
1.  FOTUAIKA, Feao
2.  MELLOR, Sam
3.  FATIALOFA, Jeremiah
4.  WALLACE-HARRISON, Adam
5.  MURDAY, Tom
6.  TOMINIKO, Darren
7.  MCCAFFERY, Miles
8.  AH WONG, Nigel
9.  CHRISTIE, Tom
10. LUCAS, Tom
11. POUHILA, Michael
12. LEE, Rob
13. ROUTLEDGE, Danny
14. TUIVANUAVOU, Taniela
15. TONGIA, Ryan
16. MELTON, Greg
17. TAVALEA, Tyler

Sunnybank Rugby Gala Fundraising Ball
Celebrating the 2013 Wallabies & British and Irish Lions Test Tour
Friday 21st June
The Pullman King George Square
6:30pm for a 7:00pm start

MC:  Aislin Kriukelis
Guest Speakers:  Nick Farr-Jones & John Bentley
Entertainment:  Murphy’s Pigs Irish Band

Tickets $170 per person or $1600 for a table of 10

To book tickets, contact the club on 3246-2500 or reception@sunnybankrugby.com.au
Click here for Booking Form – Gala Ball Flyer & Booking Form

The Dragons suffered their third loss for 2013 at the hands of Eeasts on the weekend but they still ran in three tries, just one less than the Tigers.

Winger Taniela Tuivanuavou is now tied in second place for the competitions top try scorer with four tries, just behind Brothers duo Michael Bond and Mitch Felsman who have both crossed over five times.

The Dragons potency in attack is still there but consistency will be the key for them if they are to climb in to the top four and coach Rod Seib recognises this.
“We are still a top four prospect, but we aren’t playing consistently, we just can’t give leads away to good teams,” he said.

SUNNYBANK PREMIER TEAM 11TH MAY

1.  FATIALOFA, Jeremiah
2.  MELLOR, Sam
3.  FOTUAIKA, Feao
4.  MELTON, Greg
5.  MURDAY, Tom
6.  AH WONG, Nigel
7.  TOMINIKO, Darren
8.  TAVALEA, Tyler
9.  MEEHAN, Ben
10. LUCAS, Tom
11. POUHILA, Michael
12. ROUTLEDGE, Danny
13. TAPUAI, Rex
14. TUIVANUAVOU, Taniela
15. MCINTYRE, Jake
16. WALLACE-HARRISON, Adam

PLAYER OF THE WEEKJake McIntyre

Date of Birth: 28/04/1994
Position: Scrumhalf/Flyhalf
Rep Teams: NSW Schools, Australian Schoolboys, National Academy, Australian U20′s
Most annoying team mate: Ben Meehan
Favourite player: Dan Carter
Dream holiday destination: Paris
Celeb crush: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

FOLLOW JAKE
Facebook:  Jake McIntyre
Instagram:  @jakemcintyre

Holmes is set to become the first centurion since John Roe reached the 100-game mark against the Brumbies in 2008 while he will join Dan Crowley (124 games) and Stan Pilecki (122 games) as the third prop in Queensland Rugby history to reach the honour.

Still only 29, Holmes has been an integral member to the Reds success since his debut in 2005, with the team’s 2011 Super Rugby title triumph a highlight during a career which has also seen the talented front-rower earn 13 caps for the Wallabies.

As a reliable servant of the club across nine seasons, Holmes said it would be an honour to join an illustrious group of players to have played 100 games for Queensland.

“It’s quite humbling when you think about the calibre of players who have played 100 games for Queensland and the service they have given to the Reds,” Holmes said.

“But in saying that, I’m equally as excited to be joining the club against the Sharks on Friday.  It will be a pretty special moment running out, especially when you think about all the hard work that has gone into getting the Reds to where they are now after what was a few tough years earlier in my career.

“I never would have thought 100 games would have been possible when I first started, but as time has passed there has never been a moment where I’ve wanted to leave.  As long as Queensland is happy to have me, I probably never will.

“I still feel this group has plenty to accomplish together and I’m really looking forward to what the future holds.”

Reds Director of Coaching Ewen McKenzie congratulated Holmes on his service to Queensland Rugby.

“Since the game turned professional it has become quite common for players to mix and match their clubs, but Greg has stayed true to Queensland since he debuted and is a hugely deserving member of what is an illustrious club,” McKenzie said.

“When times were tough it would have been easy for him to pack his bags and go elsewhere.  He chose to stay, battled through the hard years and ultimately got rewarded when the Reds won the championship in 2011.

“He continues to evolve his game and improve as a player and he now has the unique ability of being able to play on either side of the scrum.  There’s no reason to think he won’t continue on that upward trend and at 29 is still young for a prop, so I’ve got no doubts he has plenty left to give in the next few years.

“On behalf of everyone at Queensland Rugby and the Reds, we all congratulate Greg on what will be a special moment when he runs out onto the field on Friday night”.

Greg Holmes Bio  
Height: 187cm
Weight: 114kg
Date Of Birth: 11/06/1983
Place of Birth: Warwick
Senior Club: Sunnybank

Provincial Rugby Caps:  99
Provincial Rugby Debut: 2005 v Blues, Auckland

Super Rugby Caps: 98
Super Rugby Debut: 2005 v Blues, Auckland

Test Rugby Caps: 13
Test Rugby Debut: 2005 v France, Marseille

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/News/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/9082/Default.aspx

They will have to do without barnstorming St.George Queensland Reds prop Albert Anae this week, as he has been elevated into the Reds’ starting side. However, despite the loss of Anae, the Dragons will boast plenty of firepower with Reds veteran lock Adam Wallace Harrison again providing strong leadership and an excellent lineout option.

Several other Reds members will line up in Rod Seib’s side with Nigel Ah Wong (Extended Playing Squad), Rex Tapuai and Dion Taumata (Reds College) all strongly credentialed players.

Easts have started the year well, losing just one match against GPS in round three, and recording victories over current top four sides, Souths and University.

Flyhalf, Matt Brandon, has again been instrumental in Easts attack and his kicking ability, from the tee and out-of-hand, will be important as both teams will look to play the game in the oppositions half.

Lock Michael Stolberg has been ever present in the Easts forward pack this year and capped another strong performance at the lineout last week with a try of his own. He will once again partner with Reds EPS member Blake Enever this week in the second row and Pat Richards will no doubt be looking for the two to perform.

However, Easts’ biggest weapon will once again be Reds flyer, Aidan Toua. The 23-year-old showed his excellent pace and finishing ability last week, grabbing two tries in the win over heavyweights University.

Sunnybank: J Fatialofa, S Mellor, F Fotuaika, A Wallace Harrison, T Murday, N Ah Wong, G Blomfield, G Melton, T Christie, D Taumata, M Pouhila, D Routledge, R Tapuai, T Tuivanuavou, T Lucas

Coach: Rod Seib

Easts: J Kimmince, M Randell, K Sanday, M Stolberg, B Enever, L Bertini, J Parry, T Barker, J Mullins, M Brandon, M Beeston, S Cox, T White, S Cox, A Toua

Coach: Pat Richards

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/News/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/9012/Default.aspx

Anae will wear the number one jersey for the first time in his 13 game Super Rugby career with his only other starting appearance coming at hooker in the Reds 35-20 victory over the Force at Suncorp Stadium in March last year.

Anae, who made his Super Rugby debut against the Hurricanes in 2011, is one of two changes made to the Reds front-row with Greg Holmes coming in at tighthead prop and James Slipper moving to the bench.

The third change made to the starting line-up sees flyer Dom Shipperley come in for the injured Rod Davies, while flanker Beau Robinson gets his first opportunity for the year off the bench.

Robinson battled an ankle injury during the early stages of the season but has spent the past month gaining match fitness for Queensland Premier Rugby side Souths ahead of his return to the Reds.

Robinson has been chosen in a forward heavy 5-2 split on the bench alongside hooker James Hanson, Slipper, lock Ed O’Donoghue, flanker Jarrad Butler and backs Ben Lucas and Chris Feauai-Sautia.

“One area we pride ourselves on is our depth and Albert has made a strong impact with every opportunity he has received this year from the bench,” Reds Director of Coaching Ewen McKenzie said.

“Managing player workloads are something you must be conscious of if you are going to be successful over the duration of the competition and there are many different strategies you can implement around this in terms of your training program and game minutes.

“We’re always cognisant of this in the decisions we make each day and feel James Slipper will this week benefit from being used as an impact player from the bench. With more players coming back into the selection picture over the past month we’re in a good position where we can share the workload and responsibilities of the team.

“That gives Albert a chance he has been building towards for some time now while we also get a boost with Beau coming into the side for the first time this year.”

The Reds have not lost since their defeat at the hands of the Western Force in round five, with four wins and a draw since putting McKenzie’s side just three competition points behind the ACT Brumbies.

Saturday’s match will be an opportunity to avenge that loss while the Reds will also be determined to make amends for their loss to the Force in Perth last year.

“The margin between winning and losing is always tight and we’ve already seen this season that if you are even marginally below your best you will get beaten,” McKenzie said.

“There are a lot of reasons for us to be excited about Saturday’s game so we’re looking forward to the challenge of travelling to Perth to play the Force.”

St.George Queensland Reds team to play the Western Force
1. Albert Anae
2. Saia Faingaa
3. Greg Holmes
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Eddie Quirk
7. Liam Gill
8. Jake Schatz
9. Will Genia (vc)
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Anthony Faingaa
14. Dom Shipperley
15. Jono Lance

16. James Hanson
17. James Slipper
18. Ed O’Donoghue
19. Jarrad Butler
20. Beau Robinson
21. Ben Lucas
22. Chris Feauai-Sautia

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/News/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/9006/Default.aspx

McGuigan Wines Ladies Day 2013
Saturday 1st June
Sunnybank v GPS
2:30pm – 9:30pm
Hawaiian Theme

+ $35 pre-sale tickets or $40 at the door
(includes 1 Hawaiian cocktail & 2 ciders/beers/wines, food, entertainment & bus to Chalk Hotel)
+ DJ SOS from 6:30pm
+ Player Auction
+ Prizes for Best Dressed
+ Candy Buffet

Phone 3246-2500 or email reception@sunnybankrugby.com.au to get your tickets now!